CAC Unveils AI-Powered Business Registration Portal, Targets 30-Minute Company Registration

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched a groundbreaking AI-powered registration portal aimed at revolutionizing the business registration process in Nigeria by reducing processing time to under 30 minutes.

Announced at the CAC 2025 Stakeholders Forum held in Port Harcourt, the Registrar-General/CEO, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, described the new portal as a game-changer that delivers instant name reservation, real-time approvals, and seamless user experience.

“The new AI-driven portal marks a complete overhaul of the existing Company Registration Portal (CRP), built to provide instant name approvals and suggest intelligent alternatives when a name is already taken,” Magaji said.

With just a National Identification Number (NIN), business owners can now initiate registration, undergo real-time verification, and receive their certificate of registration via email within 30 minutes.

Overcoming Identity Verification Bottlenecks

Magaji noted that while NIN verification remains a potential bottleneck, AI-powered facial ID matching has been introduced to bypass delays caused by third-party systems like NIMC. This innovation allows CAC to maintain its promise of fast, smart, and reliable business services.

Enhanced Security & Future Upgrades

As part of the Commission’s digital transformation, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and OTP verification will soon be enforced across all user transactions, ensuring that only verified company directors can authorize changes to company data.

The CAC also announced plans to launch a dedicated Mobile App by Q4 2025, which will enable users to register businesses, monitor application progress, and access company records on the go.

Revised Service Fees & Stakeholder Engagement

Magaji revealed that a review of CAC service fees will take effect from August 1, 2025, to support the Commission’s growing investment in digital infrastructure and improved service quality.

The event featured goodwill messages from notable industry stakeholders including:

• Cordelia U. Eke, Chairman, NBA Port Harcourt

• Sir Sebastian Essien, Chairman, ICSAN

• Elder Dogala Sakpege, Chairman, NASME

• Dr. Mechi Brown, Director of Industry, Rivers State Ministry of Commerce

• Miema Akpa, representing the Chairman of ICAN Port Harcourt

With this strategic shift, the CAC is reinforcing its role as a key driver of Nigeria’s ease of doing business agenda and reaffirming its commitment to digital transformation.